After hosting approximately 12,000 international visitors during Durga Puja last year, the city is preparing to welcome an even larger number of foreign tourists this year. People from the UK, USA, France, South Korea, Singapore, Germany, and Australia have already started inquiring about traveling to India during Durga Puja and including Kolkata in their itineraries.
“We have received an unprecedented number of queries this year. Germany and Italy are seeking travel packages centered around Kolkata during Durga Puja. We have also received queries from NRIs who plan to come home during Durga Puja to celebrate the festival with their families and friends,” said Manav Soni, the chairman (east) of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI).
According to travel agents’ data, the presence of foreign tourists during Durga Puja was at an all-time high last year. Kolkata airport authorities reported that nearly 37,000 passengers arrived in Kolkata from abroad in the two weeks before the Puja. This number does not include a significant portion of tourists from abroad, as Kolkata does not have direct flights from the US or Europe. Travelers from those destinations typically reach Kolkata via domestic flights from Delhi or Mumbai.
“Usually, NRIs and foreign tourists avoid visiting the city during Durga Puja due to the crowds. Additionally, autumn is an unusual time for families to travel to India from the US or Europe as schools remain open there during this period. However, the UNESCO heritage status has helped us promote Bengal as a destination during Puja, and many have been coming since last year,” said Anil Punjabi, the chairman (east) of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI).
The state government is also participating in trade fairs and planning travel roadshows in foreign countries to boost tourism during Durga Puja.
“This year, the Durga Puja carnival will be the largest of its kind and will be a spectacle for the entire world. We are in regular meetings with travel agents and encouraging them to create packages to attract more international tourists during the festivities,” said Babul Supriyo, the state tourism minister.